Foldable Bed with Prone Positioning Function

ABSTRACT

A foldable bed includes a base, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is provided with two chest and abdomen support rods. The first frame is connected with two retractable bars which are connected with a head support. The second frame is provided with a plurality of support bars. Thus, when the user is disposed at a prone positioning state, the two chest and abdomen support rods are adjusted to fit the user&#39;s body, such that the user&#39;s chest and abdomen are exposed and will not be compressed, while the head support is adjusted to fit the user&#39;s face, such that the user&#39;s eyes, nose, mouth and ears are exposed and will not be compressed, to prevent the user&#39;s respiratory tract from being clogged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bed and, more particularly, to a foldable bed (or a prone positioning bed).

2. Description of the Related Art

In the hospital, when a surgery is applied on a rear body, such as the back, the spine, the buttocks, the legs or the like, of a patient, the patient needs to adopt the prone posture. However, when lying on the medical bed after the surgery, the patient is usually supported by six pillows, such that the patient cannot recuperate by a comfortable posture, thereby affecting care and recovery of the affected part. It is estimated that about 60% of people in the world are used to sleeping on their backs (that is, supine sleeping). However, modern medicine has proved that the tongue falls down when sleeping on the back, such that the respiratory passage is clogged, the lung is pressed, the space is shortened, and the blood returning to the heart is reduced, thereby affecting the blood circulation. Thus, the body tissue lacks oxygen such that the blood oxygen level in the body is lowered, the energy in the body is reduced, the metabolism slows down, the bodily temperature is decreased, and the immunity is deteriorated, thereby easily causing chronic diseases, such as cancer, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction (or stroke), pneumonia, respiratory problems or the like. In addition, it is difficult to discharge the sputum when sleeping on the back. Further, the respiratory passage is clogged by the tongue when sleeping on the back, thereby causing snoring and sleep apnea.

In the New England Journal of Medicine of 2013, it is proved that, when people sleep on their stomachs (that is, prone position sleeping or ventilating), the oxygenation effect is enhanced so as to increase the blood oxygen level in the human body. However, there is no suitable equipment to facilitate the people sleeping by the prone posture.

Schoolchildren and office workers usually take a nap on the table for lunch breaks. However, the traditional squatting sleep on the table has six major hazards to the human body, including:

1. compressing the elbow nerves;

2. oppressing the arm nerves;

3. pressing the cervical vertebrae and blood vessels, and easily causing cervical damage;

4. bending the carotid artery and affecting the brain blood circulation, and easily causing carotid artery stripping;

5. oppressing the eyeballs when sleeping on the table, resulting in increased intra-ocular tension, thereby easily affecting vision; and

6. curving the body and pressing the stomach after lunch, thereby resulting in flatulence and low digestive capacity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable bed with a prone (or prostrate) positioning function such that the user has better sleep quality and gesture during the prone sleeping.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable bed comprising a base, a first frame and a second frame. The base includes two plates each having a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion. The first frame defines a first end and a second end. The first end of the first frame is pivotally connected with the first pivot portion of the base. The first frame has a receiving space. A crossbar is mounted in the receiving space of the first frame and defines an adjusting space in the receiving space. The first frame is provided with two chest and abdomen support rods arranged in the adjusting space. Each of the two chest and abdomen support rods is covered by a soft pad. The second end of the first frame is connected with two retractable bars. The two retractable bars are connected with a head support. The head support has a side covered by a soft pad located adjacent to the first frame. The second frame has an end is pivotally connected with the second pivot portion of the base. The second frame has a receiving space. The second frame is provided with a plurality of support bars arranged alternately in the receiving space.

The foldable bed further comprises a bending frame mounted above the first frame and the head support. The bending frame includes a support rod having two pivot sections formed on two ends thereof, a movable rack connected with the two pivot sections of the support rod, and a head cushion coating the movable rack. The support rod has a U-shaped configuration. The movable rack has a hollow rectangular shape and is formed with a rectangular space.

The foldable bed further comprises a hollow sleeping pillow mounted above the first frame and the head support. The hollow sleeping pillow has a hollow opening.

The foldable bed further comprises a movable table located under the head support and the first frame.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, when the user is disposed at a prone positioning state, the two chest and abdomen support rods are adjusted to fit the user's body, such that the user's chest and abdomen are exposed and will not be compressed, while the head support is adjusted to fit the user's face, such that the user's eyes, nose, mouth and ears are exposed and will not be compressed, to prevent the user's respiratory tract from being clogged. In addition, the bending frame or the hollow sleeping pillow functions as a complement to support and raise the user's forehead and chin and to expose the user's eyes, nose and mouth, thereby preventing the user's respiratory tract from being clogged. Further, a movable table 26 is located under the head support and the first frame, to facilitate the user reading books. Further, the foldable bed is available for a domestic bed, a medical bed or the like, and is suitable for a patient who needs to keep the prone positioning state after a back operation or a retinal detachment surgery, such that the foldable bed has multiple purposes.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable bed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the foldable bed without soft pads.

FIG. 3 is a locally enlarged view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a locally enlarged operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another locally enlarged operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective folded view of the foldable bed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a foldable bed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bending frame in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of showing mounting of the bending frame.

FIG. 15 is a front operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a hollow sleeping pillow in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of showing mounting of the hollow sleeping pillow.

FIG. 18 is a front operational view of the foldable bed as shown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-6, a prone positioning foldable bed 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 10, a first frame 20 and a second frame 30.

The base 10 includes two plates 12 each having a first pivot portion 14 and a second pivot portion 15, and a link 11 mounted between the two plates 12. Each of the two plates 12 has a bottom provided with a plurality of casters 13.

The first frame 20 defines a first end 21 and a second end 22. The first end 21 of the first frame 20 is pivotally connected with the first pivot portion 14 of the base 10, such that the first frame 20 is pivoted relative to the first pivot portion 14 of the base 10. The first frame 20 is a rectangular hollow member and has a receiving space 23. A crossbar 24 is mounted in the receiving space 23 of the first frame 20 and defines an adjusting space 231 in the receiving space 23. The first frame 20 is provided with two parallel chest and abdomen support rods 25 arranged in the adjusting space 231. Each of the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 is covered by a soft pad (or coating or cushion) 251 to support the user's chest and abdomen. The second end 22 of the first frame 20 is connected with two retractable bars 28. The two retractable bars 28 are connected with a head support 29. The head support 29 has a side covered by a soft pad 291 located adjacent to the first frame 20 to support the user's head and face.

The second frame 30 has an end is pivotally connected with the second pivot portion 15 of the base 10, such that the second frame 30 is pivoted relative to the second pivot portion 15 of the base 10. The second frame 30 is a rectangular hollow member and has a receiving space 31. The second frame 30 is provided with a soft pad 32 located adjacent to the base 10. The second frame 30 is provided with a plurality of support bars 33 arranged alternately in the receiving space 31 to enhance the weight bearing strength of the second frame 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting space 231 of the first frame 20 has two sidewalls each provided with a slideway 232. Each of the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 has two ends each slidably mounted in the slideway 232 of the first frame 20, such that each of the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 is slidable in the adjusting space 231 of the first frame 20 to adjust a distance between the two chest and abdomen support rods 25.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distance between the head support 29 and the second end 22 of the first frame 20 is adjusted by the two retractable bars 28 according the length of a user's head. The head support 29 has a bottom provided with a stand (or grounding bar) 292. The stand 292 of the head support 29 is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust the height thereof, such that the head support 29 is placed on a plane smoothly and stably.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second frame 30 has a periphery provided with a plurality of stands (or grounding bars) 34. Each of the stands 34 of the second frame 30 is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust the height thereof, such that the second frame 30 is placed on a plane smoothly and stably.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first frame 20 has a bottom provided with two stands (or grounding bars) 27. The stand 27 of the first frame 20 is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust the height thereof, such that the first frame 20 is placed on a plane smoothly and stably.

Referring to FIG. 6 with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the stand 292 of the head support 29, the stand 27 of the first frame 20, and the stands 34 of the second frame 30 are folded. Then, the first frame 20 and the second frame 30 are pivoted relative to the base 10 and are moved toward each other, so as to fold and reduce the volume of the foldable bed 100.

In use, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, when the user is placed on the foldable bed 100 and disposed at a prone positioning state, the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 support the user's chest and abdomen, while the head support 29 supports the user's head and face. At this time, the distance between the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 is adjusted, such that the user's chest and abdomen are disposed between the two chest and abdomen support rods 25, and will not be compressed. Then, the distance between the head support 29 and the second end 22 of the first frame 20 is adjusted, such that the user's head (or face) is located between the head support 29 and the first frame 20, and the user's eyes, nose, mouth and ears will not be compressed, to prevent the user's respiratory tract from being clogged, and to prevent the user's spine and cervical spine (or vertebra) from being curved or bent. The support bars 33 of the second frame 30 supports the user's lower body, such that the user has better sleep quality and gesture during the prone sleeping.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the first frame 20 is pivoted relative to the first pivot portion 14 of the base 10, such that the angle of the first frame 20 is adjusted by multiple steps (or stages), to adjust the angle of the user's head, so as to rehabilitate the user's eyeballs after a surgery of retinal detachment.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the second end 22 of the first frame 20 has a bottom provided with a stand (or grounding bar) 27 which is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust the height thereof A movable table 26 is mounted between the stand 292 of the head support 29 and the stand 27 of the first frame 20, and is located under the head support 29 and the first frame 20, to facilitate the user reading books. Preferably, the movable table 26 is folded and unfolded.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the foldable bed 100 further comprises a bending frame (or inclined rest) 40 mounted above the first frame 20 and the head support 29. The bending frame 40 includes a support rod 41 having two pivot sections 42 formed on two ends thereof, a movable rack 43 connected with the two pivot sections 42 of the support rod 41, and a head cushion 44 coating the movable rack 43. The support rod 41 has a U-shaped configuration. The movable rack 43 has a hollow rectangular shape and is formed with a rectangular space 431. In use, after the angle of the movable rack 43 is adjusted according to the user's requirement, the bending frame 40 is placed on the first frame 20 and the head support 29. In such a manner, when the user is placed on the foldable bed 100 and disposed at a prone positioning state, the user's forehead and chin rest on the head cushion 44, and the user's eyes, nose and mouth are received in the rectangular space 431 of the movable rack 43.

Referring to FIGS. 16-18 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the foldable bed 100 further comprises a hollow sleeping pillow 50 mounted above the first frame 20 and the head support 29. The hollow sleeping pillow 50 has a hollow opening 51. In use, the hollow sleeping pillow 50 is placed on the first frame 20 and the head support 29. In such a manner, when the user is placed on the foldable bed 100 and disposed at a prone positioning state, the user's head (or face) rest on the hollow sleeping pillow 50, and the user's eyes, nose and mouth are received in the hollow opening 51 of the hollow sleeping pillow 50.

Accordingly, when the user is disposed at a prone positioning state, the two chest and abdomen support rods 25 are adjusted to fit the user's body, such that the user's chest and abdomen are exposed and will not be compressed, while the head support 29 is adjusted to fit the user's face, such that the user's eyes, nose, mouth and ears are exposed and will not be compressed, to prevent the user's respiratory tract from being clogged. In addition, the bending frame 40 or the hollow sleeping pillow 50 functions as a complement to support and raise the user's forehead and chin and to expose the user's eyes, nose and mouth, thereby preventing the user's respiratory tract from being clogged. Further, a movable table 26 is located under the head support 29 and the first frame 20, to facilitate the user reading books. Further, the foldable bed 100 is available for a domestic bed, a medical bed or the like, and is suitable for a patient who needs to keep the prone positioning state after a back operation or a retinal detachment surgery, such that the foldable bed 100 has multiple purposes.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A foldable bed comprising: a base, a first frame and a second frame; wherein: the base includes two plates each having a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion; the first frame defines a first end and a second end; the first end of the first frame is pivotally connected with the first pivot portion of the base; the first frame has a receiving space; a crossbar is mounted in the receiving space of the first frame and defines an adjusting space in the receiving space; the first frame is provided with two chest and abdomen support rods arranged in the adjusting space; each of the two chest and abdomen support rods is covered by a soft pad; the second end of the first frame is connected with two retractable bars; the two retractable bars are connected with a head support; the head support has a side covered by a soft pad located adjacent to the first frame; the second frame has an end is pivotally connected with the second pivot portion of the base; the second frame has a receiving space; and the second frame is provided with a plurality of support bars arranged alternately in the receiving space.
 2. The foldable bed of claim 1, wherein the adjusting space of the first frame has two sidewalls each provided with a slideway, and each of the two chest and abdomen support rods has two ends each slidably mounted in the slideway of the first frame, with each of the two chest and abdomen support rods being slidable in the adjusting space of the first frame to adjust a distance between the two chest and abdomen support rods.
 3. The foldable bed of claim 1, wherein: a distance between the head support and the second end of the first frame is adjusted by the two retractable bars; the head support has a bottom provided with a stand; and the stand of the head support is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust a height thereof
 4. The foldable bed of claim 1, wherein the second frame has a periphery provided with a plurality of stands, and each of the stands of the second frame is folded or unfolded, and is retractable to adjust a height thereof
 5. The foldable bed of claim 1, further comprising: a bending frame mounted above the first frame and the head support; wherein: the bending frame includes a support rod having two pivot sections formed on two ends thereof, a movable rack connected with the two pivot sections of the support rod, and a head cushion coating the movable rack; the support rod has a U-shaped configuration; and the movable rack has a hollow rectangular shape and is formed with a rectangular space.
 6. The foldable bed of claim 1, further comprising: a hollow sleeping pillow mounted above the first frame and the head support; wherein the hollow sleeping pillow has a hollow opening.
 7. The foldable bed of claim 1, further comprising: a movable table located under the head support and the first frame. 